Bedfordshire Community Ophthalmic Integrated System of Care

Tender description

Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group is inviting expressions of interest from suitably qualified providers for the provision of Community Ophthalmic Services to the population of Bedfordshire. To invigorate change towards better value in healthcare locally, BCCG is adopting a fresh approach to commissioning which focuses on outcomes from both the patient and clinical perspective. Higher quality means better value and less waste, with patients getting the right care in the right place, first time. The prime contractor will be responsible for developing and delivering a consultant-led community ophthalmic services in areas such as glaucoma testing, post-surgical follow-up, primary care acute referral schemes, cataract monitoring, age-related macular degeneration review, paediatric conditions and low vision services. The successful Prime Contractor is expected to promote the use of primary care professionals with the appropriate skills to provide quicker access and choice. The service will need to make sure that people with eye conditions are triaged and appropriate conditions treated within the community, have access to high quality, effective and timely advice, assessment, diagnosis, treatment for their condition and, where appropriate, the onward referral of more complex cases. BCCG is looking for a model of service that supports the development of care pathways and the re-provision of outpatient activity from the hospital to the community setting. The successful Prime Contractor is expected to develop referral guidance and referral forms and ensure a seamless shift from secondary care. The development of interfaces with other relevant services and community professionals and the link with NICE pathways are also a requirement. The service will play an integral part in improving patient’s experience of the NHS by ensuring that they receive high quality outpatient care without any delay.